Perennial Hardiness Zone

Native Species and Cultivars

Native mountain mint is a fantastic pollinator-friendly plant that nurtures beneficial insects and butterflies with its generous clusters of bloom. Aromatic foliage is a plus, and it grows amicably in part shade along woodland edges along with bright red bee balms.

PPAF. This cultivar of native penstemon has non-fading deep wine red foliage and a multitude of rosy lavender narrow belllike blooms held on sturdy upright stems. Bred in Nebraska, it shrugs off heat, humidity and severe winter cold and blooms like mad for months in late spring into summer. Provide very well-drained soils.

The advent of summer in New England is always accompanied by the sweet scent of garden phlox in bloom. Heirloom 'Bright Eyes' is a lovely true pink with a ring of rich rose at the center of each floret. One of the best flowers to attract butterflies and hummingbirds too! Mildew resistant; provide organic, moist, yet well-drained soils. Deadhead after bloom.

Also known as wine cups for its 1-2” wide chalice shaped magenta blooms, this native of the Midwest to Southwest is a versatile summer-blooming perennial that has garnered the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Lovely as a groundcover, it combines beautifully with low-growing sedum on dry banks, and is especially effective spilling over a rock wall. Tap-rooted, it sales through periods of drought once fully established. Soils should be very well-drained and of regular to medium moisture. Grow in masses for maximum impact. Listed in an 1874 catalog. Self sows. Attracts beneficial insects lacewings and hoverflies and is also a larval food source for native butterflies.

A tall grass prairie native, rattlesnake master once was used to make rattles by Native Americans. Bone-white flower clusters resemble small thistles and contrast with grasses and purple tones such as Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’. Easy to grow in regular to dry sandy soils, its taproot indicates it should not be disturbed. Listed in a 1923 American native plants nursery list.

Star of the summer garden 'American Gold Rush' is far superior to any other Black-eyed Susan out there, for it has beautiful disease-free foliage and scads of golden daisies from July to September. A hybrid of a native coneflower it is bee, butterfly, and bird friendly! Patented.

Lovely garnet many-branched stems hold upright clouds of daisy flowers in hues of gold and mahogany. A "tip of the garden cap" to David Cavagnaro, who shared seed of this Iowa prairie flower. A biennial to short-lived perennial that blooms summer and early fall. Self sows.

Lovely garnet many-branched stems hold upright clouds of daisy flowers in hues of gold and mahogany. A "tip of the garden cap" to David Cavagnaro, who shared seed of this Iowa prairie flower. A biennial to short-lived perennial that blooms summer and early fall. Self sows.

Plant Select® Winner! An irresistible new salvia that blooms for months starting in summer. Tall wands of cherry red flowers held in burgundy calyxes invite hummingbirds with the abundant open tube-shaped blooms. A graceful open habit, trim 6” in June for a more compact habit. Remarkable hardiness to zone 5. Regular well drained soils a must.

A fantastic passalong plant from a chance seedling in Peachie Saxon’s garden. Outperforms all other Stokesia on the market, with scads of lavender blue flowers atop compact, branching, sturdy plants. Blooms in summer and butterflies just won’t leave it alone!

Sundrops is a wonderful name for this glowing chalice of a flower. Blooming for two months starting early summer, with new flowers opening every day, plus flashy burgundy fall and winter foliage. Once a passalong plant among gardeners who know a good thing when they see it, it is right at home as a bright edging or groundcover.

A beautiful plant that helps native insects and birds, sweet coneflower is strong and enduring as well as non-running. Masses of clear yellow 3” daisy flowers bloom all summer into fall. Lovely with bee balms, swamp milkweed and asters in borders and meadow plantings.

Native to most of the USA, blue vervain’s branched spikes of purple contrast wonderfully with all those daisies of summer and fall, especially good in masses with other moisture loving natives, such as bee balm, swamp milkweed and sweet coneflower. Best in the wild garden as it runs and self-sows to beautiful effect.

Native to most of the USA, blue vervain’s branched spikes of purple contrast wonderfully with all those daisies of summer and fall, especially good in masses with other moisture loving natives, such as bee balm, swamp milkweed and sweet coneflower. Best in the wild garden as it runs and self-sows to beautiful effect.

When I first laid eyes on this native in full, glorious, finely cut, grass green foliage, I didn't care if it bloomed or not, it was that beautiful. But it does bloom, and in fall it is dotted all over with brilliant violet-purple tufted flowers. Valuable late food source for butterflies too. March and April ship dates may ship as dormant plants.